mbstone.

[TANEY _enters, right._

TANEY

Hello, Pollen. Hello, Conroy. Well, Grosvenor, Cottrell is as jumpy as
you are.

GROSVENOR

Have you seen Harradan?

TANEY

Have I seen Harradan? I should say I had! He's leading the peace party
in the Senate. Fighting like a fiend.

[_Clearing his throat._

That man has nearly cost me my vocal chords.

[_Ruefully._

To see him you wouldn't connect him with the word "peace."

GROSVENOR

He's in the club. He's asked for you.

CONROY

Come on, Grosvenor. This is no place for an honest business-man to be
found conversing with a Senator.

GROSVENOR

[_Nervously._

Quite right.

TANEY

[_With a grin._

Well, Maynard, they don't seem to think we're safe company for good
little boys. Suppose we get back on the job?

[_They move toward the right._ POLLEN _remains standing, calm
and imperturbable, by the window._

POLLEN

You people act as though you had a bad conscience. I don't think I'd let
a mere Senator interfere with the freedom of my movements, if I were
you.

[SENATOR HARRADAN _enters, left. He is a soldierly-looking man
in the seventies._

HARRADAN

Good evening, gentlemen.

[_Pause._

I seem to have tumbled into headquarters.

TANEY

Hello, Harradan. Looking for me?

HARRADAN

Yes.

TANEY

You know these gentlemen?

HARRADAN

[_Coolly._

Sufficiently.

TANEY

I'm due back at the Senate. I'll talk with you till the cock crows after
we adjourn. Will that do?

HARRADAN

I should like to talk to you now.

MAYNARD

In that case, I'll go back to the House.

GROSVENOR

We won't intrude--

CONROY

The Senators have the floor--

[_They are about to beat a retreat._

HARRADAN

I wish you'd stay, gentlemen.

GROSVENOR

[_Looking at his watch, nervously._

I'm sorry I--

HARRADAN

You'll please stay, Mr. Grosvenor. You, too, Mr. Conroy.

CONROY

I'm hanged if I'll be dictated to.

HARRADAN

[_Quietly._

Do as you please. But if you don't stay, I'll have you both under arrest
in fifteen minutes.

CONROY

[_In disgust._

Oh, come off!

GROSVENOR

[_Indignantly._

What do you mean, Senator?

HARRADAN

[_Fiercely._

My God, man, don't make me mad. I'm twenty years older than you, but I
could wipe the floor up with you yet!

GROSVENOR

[_Nervously lights a cigar and during the ensuing scene shifts it with
his lips from one c